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Making Circularity a Reality: The Way Forward

to promote such products is challenging. Several
Several practices in the Textile & Apparel value chain, in some brands have stated that it is critical to identify
easily implementable circular practices.
way, contribute to the circular economy. However, significant l Numerous trials are required at each stage of
challenges and gaps continue to hinder implementing, the value chain to launch a circular product

formalizing and scaling and these novel circular practices. effectively. The current supply chain ecosystem is
unable to execute such concepts on a larger
scale.
l Modern textile recycling facilities require complex
Scaling circularity: Understanding logistical system, due to absence of local technology and an enormous installation area.
Challenges recycling hubs. Hence only a few players are in operation due to
l No harmonized sorting standards or criteria are the high initial investment.
Investing in Research and Development
available in country, leading to difficulty in
The challenges identified during the assessment
establishing automated sorting technologies Educating & Creating Awareness for Value Chain l The textile industry is a traditional and
have been organized into six categories. These
for used-apparel that could contribute Stakeholders conservative business, resistant to adapting to
six categories are also action areas for achieving
significantly and affordably to large-scale l The current apparel design criteria exclude End- new technologies and techniques. Only a few
circularity in the Textile & Apparel industry.
recycling systems. However, manual of-Life disposal implications and recycling during key players invest in R&D to produce alternative
1. Waste Management
sorting, which is labor-intensive and expensive, its lifecycle. sustainable materials.
2. Infrastructure
creates limitation in upscaling post-consumer l Many MSMEs lack the technical ability l It is challenging to find circular packaging
3. Value Chain Stakeholder Education and
waste recycling. and knowledge to apply circular processes alternatives for the Textile & Apparel industry
Awareness
l It is expensive for small- and medium-sized properly. They may not wholly comprehend the because packaging manufacturers do less
4. Government Policy
enterprises (SMEs) to implement circular practices benefits of these practices and how to use them research and development of such products.
5. Research and Development
because they lack the capital to invest in in an efficient and cost-effective manner. l Few sustainable textile dyestuffs, chemicals,
6. Consumer Engagement
advanced technology and processes. l Suppliers find it challenging in collaboration with and auxiliaries are available in the market and are
expensive. There is limited R&D undertaken to
l Polyester and other synthetic fibres are not buyers and handholding to achieve their long-
Waste Management
biodegradable and their recycling is still in term circularity goals. It is hard for them to find a help boost industry acceptance of these
l Industries are not keen to invest in sustainable
nascent stages. balance between economic production and chemicals at an affordable price.
technologies.
l In some cases, there is no clear indication of the circular practices.
l The use of varied techniques and technologies
precise composition of the fibres on the garment’s Generating Consumer Awareness
for producing changing and client demand
label, and in some cases, it is unavailable post Getting support from the Government l Consumers have limited awareness of the
complicate monitoring of production processes. It
usage. This restricts the traceability and recycling l Existing regulations only support sustainability environmental impact of apparel production and
is resulting in excess raw materials usage and the
potential for post-consumer garments. components to a limited degree, while circularity do not consider circularity as a key factor while
generation of more waste.
is not yet addressed. making a purchase.
l There are no unified textile waste collection
Building a Robust Infrastructure l Available guidelines (if any) are not comprehensive l Not all consumers will pay premium prices for
guidelines or standards for pre-and post-
l The online survey (Annexure 1) suggests that at for resource management and waste reduction. circular products and presume recycled products
consumer waste. For example, materials must not
the end-of-life phase of a product, a completely l There is lack of incentives such as tax breaks, as inferior.
be soiled or contaminated to retain recyclability.
new industry is required for collection of post- subsidies, or other forms of assistance linked to l Due to lack of ultimate disposal methods for non-
l The textile industry’s complex and pan-Indian
consumer waste and redesigns/re-produce. implementing circularity practices usable textile articles, these end up in landfills as
presence makes it difficult to trace the origin of
l There is a lack of adequate infrastructure to l There is absence of comprehensive guidelines municipal waste rather than recycled.
materials and results in a complex and expensive
support implementation of sustainable and to assist the textile industry in reducing hazardous Approaching Circularity on 6 Priority
circular production techniques and practices. chemical usage. Action Areas
l The use of obsolete technology, and difficulty of
separating different types of fibres pose obstacles
The circularity focal points were identified by
to textile recycling and reuse.
observing current circularity practices across the
l A significant lack of waste management
value chain (Refer to Chapter 3).
infrastructure for waste collection and processing
systems makes it challenging for the sector to
Circularity focal points are critical areas in the value
recycle and reuse materials successfully.
chain, where circular practices can be focused in
l There is insufficient demand from consumers for
product design, energy consumption, production
circular products. Therefore, the brand’s initiatives
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